Vitamin B6 Deficiency - Medtick
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Vitamin B6 Deficiency

What is it?

When one lacks vitamin B6 in their body.

  • Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor in many enzymatic reactions, including the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
  • It is critical to cognitive (brain) development, contributes to neurotransmitter synthesis, and supports immune function via interleukin-2 production and haemoglobin formation (needed for red blood cells to carry oxygen).
  • Deficiency can result in significant complications and concerns.
Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin B supplements as this vitamin is unique in that either deficiency or excess can cause similar symptoms

Diseases or conditions causing deficiency

  • Malnutrition
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff Symptoms (brain condition caused by damage to nerves)
    • Symptoms:
      • Uncontrolled eye movement
      • Lack of coordination and speech
      • Slow movement
      • Lack of consciousness
      • Mental confusion
      • Loss of voice
      • Stating events that never occurred and memory loss.
  • Wernicke encephalopathy (A vitamin B deficiency common in alcoholic liver disease)
    • Symptoms:
      • Confusion
      • Impaired consciousness
      • Imbalance and uncontrolled movement
      • Symptoms similar to drunkenness
    • Medication:

Signs and symptoms of deficiency

  • Pigmented rash -Light sensitive, cracked and dry symmetrical rash, develop on hands (glove-like appearance), feet (boot shaped appearance) and sun-exposed skin butterfly rash on face
  • Hot and red swollen burning mouth and tongue
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Heartburn
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation and then later diarrhoea (could by bloody)
  • Dementia
  • Excitement and depression
  • Paranoia

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Foods mainly found in:

  • Beans
  • Grains
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Fish
  • Meat- Poultry
  • Vegetables – potatoes
  • Non-citrus fruits
Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin B supplements as this vitamin is unique in that either deficiency or excess can cause similar symptoms

 

Side effects include :

  • Sensory neuropathies (nerve pain)
  • Movement disorders (ataxia)
  • Skin lesions
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Photosensitivity- condition in which the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet light and may burn easily. It usually causes a rash or sunburn, especially on areas of the skin that are exposed to ultraviolet light.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Vitamin B6 Deficiency in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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